Plate stand

ABSTRACT

A dish assembly includes a pair of folding panels having a preset angular relationship, the panels also including plate holding unit structures that are linearly offset along the rising extent of the structure, for greater single object support stability. The panels are hinged at one or more points more closely adjacent lateral support structure on adjacent the plate holding unit structure openings. The panels fold for flat storage, or open to form a stable angled structure with the angular degree of open deployment stabilized by any method, including a limiting hinge, a guide base, or other structure.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/470,878 filed on Aug. 27, 2014, which was acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/946,769filed on Jul. 19, 2013, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/134,636 filed on Jun. 13, 2011, which, in turnis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/065,175filed on Mar. 16, 2011, which, in turn, obtains the benefit of theearlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/341,874 filed on Apr. 6, 2010, and the benefit of these earlier datesis claimed for all matter common therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dish carriers, and more particularly tovarious structures which may include a plurality of panel memberscooperating with each other for supporting arrays of dishes both in thecourse of their delivery and also as a stationary support in acantilevered fashion meaning substantially horizontal to direction ofgravity, with “dishes” being a generic term for foodware such asbakeware & cookware, bowls, plates, platters and dishes, and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Those engaged in preparing and serving food for consumption by othershave consistently faced the burdens an array of dishes this serviceentails, particularly when more than one person is being served a fullmeal at a dining table. In commercial settings this burdensome task hasbeen partly assisted by large carrying trays that were then placedeither on any adjacent vacant table, or more frequently, on collapsiblestands temporarily erected next to the table being served. Themanipulative difficulty of a large tray on its fully loaded path fromthe kitchen has nonetheless become legendary, even providing endlesscomedic sequences in many of our films, and various mechanicalalternatives were therefore devised to assist the overburdened foodservice provider.

These earlier assisting mechanical alternatives fall generally intothree groupings of dish carrier assemblies that also serve as a stand,the first arranged as a cage within which the dishes are suspended bytheir edges or arranged as a stack, exemplified by the teachings of U.S.Pat. No. 5,064,236 to Stanfield; U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,731 to Wills; andothers; the second in which dish supporting trays, supports or shelvesare cantilevered from a common axis that is provided with a supportbase, as in U.S. Pat. No. 953,007 to Haller; U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,308 toNylund; U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,208 to Orozco et el.; and others; and thethird in which the peripheral edge of each dish is captured incantilever within exteriorly directed notch structures around a commoncarrying axis that also serves as a support base, as in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,088,605, 5,836,458 and 5,944,200 all to Nales; U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,550and US publication 2009/0195005 to and by Lord; and many others.

Each of the foregoing, while suitable for the purposes intended, eitherentails a complex, costly and often cumbersome structure, as exemplifiedby those in the first two groupings, or the simpler, but moreprecariously suspended and therefore difficult to manipulate, carryingarrangement in which the engaged dish peripheries are relied on to carrythe whole plate loading. Both these modalities are particularlybothersome in a busy restaurant setting and a simply constructed dishcarrying arrangement that obtains the benefits and deploymentconvenience of the cantilevering dish edge capture, but in a more stableand redundant form, is therefore extensively desired and it is one sucharrangement that is disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the general purpose and object of the presentinvention to provide a simply assembled dish carrying structure in whichthe carried food laden dishes are resiliently retained in a cantileveredmanner by engagement at varying levels of insertion.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a dish carrying assemblywhich is easily separated into conveniently stored panels.

Yet further and additional objects of the invention shall becomeapparent upon the examination of the description that follows inconjunction with the illustrations appended hereto.

Briefly, these and other objects are accomplished within the presentinvention, in accordance with a first mode of implementation thereof, byproviding a pair of generally similar orthogonally interlockingstructures each defined as a vertically elongate rectangular panelprovided at the top and bottom edges with corresponding co-planar upperand lower lateral extensions each notched by opposingly alignedtransverse grooves conformed for crossed mating receipt within eachother. Once thus interlocked the resulting crossed structuralcombination then provides the necessary three dimensional engagementwhich can either serve as a stand or as a carrying assembly which may befacilitated by forming a handle in the panel that is provided with theupwardly open interlocking grooves.

The panel edges between the lateral extensions are each provided withmatching cut-outs each covered with a resilient edge covering and eachshaped so that in their crossing interlocked combination conforminglymatched edge recesses are provided in which correspondingly shapedperipheral portions of dishes are receivable for a resiliently effectedcantilever moment capture of the dish. In this manner various dishshapes may conveniently accommodated by the simple expedient of thecut-out shape, reducing fabrication costs and the need for specializedinventory. Of course, the planar nature of the two main components ofthis inventive assembly, and also their similar planforms, provide bothmanufacturing and great storage convenience when not in use.

In accordance with a second mode of implementation of the inventionherein the engagement between the panels may be modified to includehinges in lieu of the interlocking grooves so that each cooperativepanel pair is fixed in a hinged relationship, with the free edges of ahinged panel pair, in turn, hinged to the free edges of yet anotherhinged panel pair. Similar to the first implementation mode, theadjacent edges of each hinged panel pair include the above matched edgerecesses shaped to receive in a cantilevered manner the suspension ofvariously sized dishes, thus effectively doubling carrying capacity. Inthis hinged form the assembly may be once again collapsed for storage inan overlying panel stack from which it can be expanded into athree-dimensional form when needed to support or carry dishes. Atelescoping tubular handle assembly extending between the upper hingesjoining the recessed edges of each panel pair is then utilized toprovide manual carrying convenience, the telescoping collapse of thehandle assembly deploying the panel stack into its three-dimensionalform for supporting dishes with the inherent flexure of the telescopedhandle when used to lift the assembly insuring the retention of thisthree dimensional form in the course of its movement.

In accordance with a third mode of implementation of the inventionherein the engagement between the panels may be set to depend from athird body which can support the panels and also facilitate a pivotalmovement between a stable supported deployed position and a stable,compact stowed position. The pivoting panels can be supported inside apivot support which may or may not have a box structure of sufficientdepth that the pivoting panels can be stowed within the depth of the boxstructure. In one embodiment, the stowed panels and box structure canitself be pivotally attached to another structure, portable or fixed, sothat the box structure can be pivotally moved to achieve a generallyvertical position from which the panels can be pivotably deployed. Thepanels themselves can provide the structural support against a closingforce from the box structure and the panels may engage a stable surfacewhich may or may not be a part of the structure form a structure fromwhich the box structure is pivotally deployed. After use, the panels arepivoted to a position within the box support, and the box support can bebrought to a closed position to enable the panels to be both stored andhidden when not in use.

Also in accordance with a third mode of implementation of the inventionherein the panels may be set to depend from a third body which is set toslidably deploy from a stowed position to a deployed position. The thirdbody may or may not be box shaped since the slidable deployment willgenerally cause the third body and panels to drop below a position fromwhich they may be seen and into a stowage position perhaps with only atop member and a deployment handle being observable while the third bodyis in the stowed position. A bracket having the ability to support thethird body in its vertical displacement between a completely storedposition and a ready-to-be deployed position may range at most from ablind rectangular pocket to a least a pair of “U” shaped bracketsupports, depending upon the needs of the structures which surround thesupport system. From a stowed position, the third body is verticallydisplaced sufficiently for the panels to be pivoted to a deployedposition. It may be preferable for the panels deployment to engage astable surface to secure the third body from vertical displacement backto its stowed position, as well as to use that same engagement tosupport plates.

A fourth mode of implementation of the inventive dish assembly of theinvention includes a pair of folding panels that also includes plateholding unit structures that are linearly offset along the rising extentof the structure, for greater single object support stability. Thepanels are hinged at one or more points more closely adjacent lateralsupport structure on adjacent the plate holding unit structure openings.The panels fold for flat storage, or open to form a stable angledstructure with the angular degree of open deployment stabilized by anymethod, including a limiting hinge, a guide base, or other structure.

The general geometric principles upon which all of the modes ofimplementation shown are also discussed in detail. An opening forproviding support to a plate has a lateral view seen somewhat as a slot.The lateral view of the slot, typically carried by two panels, is seenas having an arc shaped upper engagement surface opposed by a generallyhorizontal lower engagement surface somewhat oriented as chord takenwith respect to the arc. It is expected that variations can occur at themouth or opening of the slot and at the distal end of the slot, whichinclude aesthetic variations, auxiliary structure variations, andlimitations of materials or manufacture.

Thus in both forms an easily stored structural combination is obtainedwhich can be rendered in any convenient material structures and which,by the shaping convenience of the edge capturing recesses, can includemultiple geometric shapings to capture in a cantilevered manner theedges of various dish forms so that inadvertent dropping of the dishesreceived therein is effectively precluded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of theinventive dish carrying structural assembly in its interlocked anddeployed form;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of theinventive dish carrying structural assembly shown in FIG. 1 separated byits parts;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, again separated by parts, of the inventive dishcarrying structural assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the inventive dish carrying structural assemblyshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view detail of one portion of the inventive dishcarrying shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top view illustrating the various dishalignments in various cantilevered manner the supportive capturesrendered possible within the capturing recesses provided within theinventive dish carrier structural assembly;

FIG. 7 is yet another side view, separated by parts, of a reduced formof the inventive dish supporting structural assembly shown in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is yet another perspective illustration of a secondimplementation of the inventive dish carrying assembly conformed as anintegrated combination of a plurality of the inventive panelcombinations hinged to each other;

FIG. 9 is a further perspective illustration, separated by parts, of thesecond inventive implementation shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the deployed form of the second implementationof the inventive dish carrying assembly shown in FIG. 8 and illustratingthe configuration thereof in the course of use;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the deployed dish carrying assembly shown inFIGS. 8-10;

FIG. 12 is a further side view illustrating the second implementation ofthe inventive dish carrying assembly in its collapsed form for storage;

FIG. 13 is a further top view of the second implementation of theinventive dish support assembly collapsed for storage.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first version of a thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly where a thirdstructural member pivotally supports a pair of panels, the thirdstructural member seen in stowed position adjacent a barbeque sideshelf, grill table or the like shown in broken line format.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the first version of the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly of FIG. 14 andshown with the third structural member in an open intermediate positionbetween a stowed position and a deployed position and illustrating thepair of panels in the collapsed, stowed position;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the first version of the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly of FIG. 14 & shownin an open deployed position and shown wherein at least one of thepanels contributes to vertical stability of the third structural memberby bearing upon a surface;

FIG. 17 is a top view looking down upon the first version of the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly of FIG. 16 andillustrates the angular position of the first and second pivotingpanels;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a second version of a thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly where a thirdstructural member is supported to vertically lift from a rearwardlymounted bracket and deploy on an adjacent surface, and shown in thefully deployed position adjacent a barbeque (BBQ) side shelf or thelike;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the second version of the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly of FIG. 18 andshown with the third structural member in an open intermediate positionbetween a stowed position and a deployed position and illustrating thepair of panels in the collapsed, stowed position with a base supportpanel, that may be optionally shown in a position generally mid-waybetween stowage and deployment;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the second version of the inventive dishsupport assembly in a position most closely as it was seen in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the second version of the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly of FIGS. 18-20 andseen in a nearly fully stowed position lowered with respect to the firstand second bracket rails;

FIG. 22 is a plan view looking into the inventive dish support assemblyof FIGS. 18-21, but particularly similar to the view of FIG. 18, andillustrating the shapes formed by the bilateral bringing together offirst and second pivoting panels;

FIG. 23 is a right side view taken perspective view of the secondversion of the third implementation of the inventive dish supportassembly 351 of FIGS. 18-22 & corresponding more nearly to the positionseen in FIG. 18, and illustrates the side perspective useful indescribing the effective shapes of the dish support structure shownlater in a schematic illustration;

FIG. 24 is a front plan view taken perspective view of the secondversion of the third implementation of the inventive dish supportassembly 351 of FIGS. 18-23 is shown, but corresponding more nearly tothe position seen in FIG. 19, and illustrates the pivoting support inits raised position;

FIG. 25 a right side view of the second version of the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly 351 of FIGS. 18-24is shown, but corresponding more nearly to the position seen in FIG. 21,and illustrates the compactness of the pivoting panel components andpivoting support;

FIG. 26 is an expanded schematic right side view of the inventive dishsupport assembly most similar to the view taken across two panels seenin FIG. 23, and is used to illustrate a series of equations which helpto define the inventive dish support assembly;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 16 andillustrates the use of an optional polymeric overlay for cases where thepanels of the invention are not necessarily made of non-slip, highfriction material or are coated or dipped with non-slip polymericmaterial;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth implementation ofthe inventive dish support assembly that includes a base and a pair ofelongate cylindrical shaped supports that may be attached to a base, toform a stylish, sturdy and simple plate support;

FIG. 29 is a view seen from the vantage point of FIG. 28, but with thefourth implementation of the inventive dish support assembly showing theelongate cylindrical shaped supports attached to the base in assembledposition and shown supporting a series of plates or dishes (shown inbroken line) in a parallel arrangement;

FIG. 30 is a plan view taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 29 and illustratesthe parallel and lateral position of the supported plates as well aspossible slight rearward tilt of the elongate cylindrical shapedsupports, as well as an optional thinner base having a reinforcing bossinto which the elongate cylindrical shaped supports may be supported;

FIG. 31 is a plan view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30 and illustratesthe bilateral symmetry from the viewpoint from behind the elongatecylindrical shaped supports;

FIG. 32 is a top view taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 31, and lookingdown and into the pair of adjacent elongate cylindrical shaped supportsand illustrating the tilt of the reinforcing boss into which theelongate cylindrical shaped supports may be supported;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of an embodiment similar to the perspective ofthe embodiment seen in FIG. 30 and illustrates a doubling of the path ofthe elongate cylindrical shaped supports as an alternative foradditional strength, stability, and style and for facilitation offormation of a handle at their upper ends;

FIG. 34 is a plan view taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33 and illustratesthe bilateral symmetry from the viewpoint from behind the elongatecylindrical shaped supports and the perspective of a view at an anglewith respect to the front plate support portions of the elongatecylindrical shaped supports and the rear generally linear elongatecylindrical shaped supports that may be optionally joined, or spacedapart from the front plate support portions;

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the the inventivedish assembly having a first panel and second panel with the holdingunit structures arranged in a progressively rearwardly orientation asthey proceed vertically that simulates the tilt of FIGS. 28-34 andbilaterally exploded with respect to a series of vertically alignedhinges shown in alignment;

FIG. 36 is a view looking at the edge of the rightmost panel from a viewtaken along line 36-36 and which illustrates the thin profile of thesecond panel seen in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is side view of the assembled dish assembly whose componentparts were seen in FIGS. 35 & 36, and illustrates a view lookingperpendicular to a middle plane between the first and second panels suchthat only the first panel is visible, and is shown with examples ofvarious dishes and plates shown in broken line format in a positionsupported by the assembled dish assembly generally horizontally;

FIG. 38 is front plan view of the assembled dish assembly of FIGS. 35-37and particularly looking into the midline plane of the assembled dishassembly of FIG. 37 along line 38-38 of FIG. 37 and illustrates theforward structure to which various dishes and plates shown in brokenline format approach.

FIG. 39 is top view looking down onto the assembled dish assembly ofFIGS. 35-38 and particularly looking down along line 39-39 of FIG. 38and illustrates the tilted corner, or inclined edge, similar to apyramidal section, formed by the adjacent series of the abbreviatedvertical portions seen in FIG. 35; and seen without the various dishesand plates for greater clarity;

FIG. 40 is a side view of the assembled dish assembly similar to thatseen in FIG. 37, but shown engaged with a guide and support platformwhich both further reinforces the angle of the first and second panelsand the overall stability support of the assembled dish assembly;

FIG. 41 is a side view of the a guide and support platform seen in FIG.40 and that illustrates the low profile of the a guide and supportplatform standing alone;

FIG. 42 is a top view of the guide and support platform seen in FIGS. 40& 41 and that illustrates a central aperture;

FIG. 43 is top view looking down onto the assembled dish assembly ofFIGS. 35-40 and particularly looking down along line 43-43 of FIG. 40and illustrates the tilted corner, similar to a pyrimidal section,formed by the adjacent series of the abbreviated vertical portions, andis seen overlying the guide and support platform and illustrating itsstabilizing support;

FIG. 44 is an upper perspective view of the assembled dish assembly ofFIGS. 35-39 and shown in a folded position either ready to be packedaway or in a position just about to be deployed on a support surface;

FIG. 45 is an upper perspective view of the assembled dish assembly mostsimilar to that seen in FIG. 44 and shown in a deployed position readyto support bowls, dishes and large bowls seen in FIG. 37, and ready forsupport on a surface;

FIG. 46 is an upper perspective view of the assembled dish assembly mostsimilar to that seen in FIG. 45 and shown in a deployed position readyto support bowls, dishes and large bowls seen in FIG. 37, but supportedon a surface with the assistance of a guide and support platform seen inFIGS. 40-43;

FIG. 47 is an upper perspective exploded view of the assembled dishassembly most similar to the perspective of FIG. 45 and illustrating theangular tilt of the hinges; and

FIG. 48 is an upper perspective view of the guide and support platformseen in FIGS. 40-43 & 46.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-6 the first implementation of the inventive dishcarrier assembly, generally designated by the numeral 10, comprises apair of substantially similar generally planar panels which by theirsubstantial similarity shall be designated herein by the trailingnumerals 1 and 2, where the respective panels 11-1 and 11-2 are each ofan elongate, generally rectangular planform respectively defined byinner and outer longitudinal edges 11-1 i and 11-1 o and 11-2 i and 11-2o. Transversely an upper and a lower edge 11-1 u and 11-1 l and 11-2 uand 11-21 limit the planform of the respective panels 11-1 and 11-2,each of the upper and lower edges extending beyond the correspondinginner edges 11-1 i and 11-2 i to continue as the exterior edges ofcorresponding upper and a lower planar extensions 12-1 u and 12-1 l and12-2 u and 12-2 l, with the lower extensions 12-1 l and 12-2 l on eachpanel being greater in width and spanning further from the correspondinginner edges 11-1 i and 11-2 i than the upper extensions 12-1 u and 12-2u.

To effect an interlock between the panels the interior edge of the upperextensions of panel 11-1, immediately proximate its inner edge 11-1 i,is transversely notched by an downwardly open notch 11-1 nd with aconformingly similar, but upwardly directed, transverse notch 11-2 nuformed in the corresponding upper edge 11-2 u of panel 11-2 with asimilar, opposingly directed, set of conforming notches 11-1 nd and 12-2nu formed in the lower inner edge of the extension 12-1 l and the lowerextension 12-2 l. These last opposing notches, and also thecorresponding extensions in which they are formed, are each somewhatdeeper, and correspondingly also wider in their planform, in order tosimplify and render convenient their sequential engagement to interlockthe panels 11-1 and 11-2 in a crossed relationship.

In this interlocked configuration the inner edges 11-1 i and 11-2 ialign in a closely adjacent, but substantially orthogonal, relationshipwith the crosswise engaged lower extensions 12-1 l and 12-2 l forming asupporting base for this interlocked panel combination. A handle 14formed in the upper extension 12-2 u of panel 11-2 is then useful tolift the engaged panel combination from ground to serve as aconveniently assembled, and also conveniently disassembled and stored,carrier structure for dishes D that are suspended in cantilever from aset of matching panel recesses 15-a through 15-n that are formed in eachof the panels in the form of mutually aligned cut-outs from the inneredges 11-1 i and 11-2 i into the corresponding panel and to assure asecure cantilevered engagement a resilient strip 16, such as anadhesively attachable foam rubber strip, is applied to each of the edgesof the recesses 15-a through 15-n.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing structure isdirected for use in settings where a large number of dishes need to behandled. Of course, such settings rarely involve dishes that are each an‘object d'art’, i.e., a precious, extremely fragile artistic piece, butdishes D that are appropriately designed with correct contemplation forstrength of materials, the sanitary aspects of the finish, mass densityand the like. Simply, dishes appropriately designed for convenienthandling with appropriate attention to notions like scaling laws andcommercially expedient materials are those that need the handlingassistance disclosed herein. These typically include a fairly largecircular base with a well defined base edge circle BD supporting thebowl BW surrounded by a peripheral wall PW which either extends upwardlyfor those dishes that convey fluid foods or that projects generallyradially to form a peripheral surface PS. In virtually all instances,however, there is a well-defined, flat, circular bottom surface BSsurrounded by a peripheral edge PE that is either substantially abovethe bottom surface BS or close to the plane thereof.

These attributes are successfully used to advantage in the edge shapingof each of the recesses 15 a through 15 n by providing a convexcurvature, or bulge, 17 in the bottom portion of the recess edge with acomplementary conforming, but radially further from the inner edges 11-1i or 11-2 i, upper edge arc segment 18 that is generally spaced from theconvex curvature 17 by a radial and vertical gap similar to the gapbetween the base surface BS and the peripheral edge PE of the particulardish configuration that is to be received in the recess. Since thisgeometric relationship provides a generally fixed distance between thefulcrum point supporting the base surface BS on the convex curvature 17and the opposing contact point between the peripheral edge PE at thecomplementary arc segment 18 in each of the panels 11-1 and 11-2 theresulting cantilevered engagement accommodates substantial misalignmentsof the dish D while still maintaining moment levels of the cantileveredsuspension that is within the material strength capacity of the dish D.

Thus each of the recesses 15 a through 15 d can be conformed to accept aparticular family of dishes, assuring in each instance a self-correctingshift in the fulcrum contact between the dish bottom surface BS and thecurvature 17 which occurs within the recesses in both panels 11-1 and11-2, compensating for a wide range of misalignments in the handling ofthe dish. Moreover, where the number of recesses is insufficient for thedish variety used the upper arc segment 18 may be segmented asillustrated by the recess 15 n where a substantially higher inner arcsegment 18-I extends partly into the recess to accommodate dishes thathave a substantial peripheral wall PW while the remaining outer portion18-o then drops to a closer spacing to accommodate flat dishescharacterized by a substantial peripheral edge PE that, of course,requires deeper insertion.

In this manner all sorts of complementing dish configurations can beeasily accommodated in a structure that is inexpensive to produce,easily disassembled and stored and conveniently used. The simple planarnature of all the interlocking components of the present inventionassures all the foregoing benefits including the packaging conveniencebenefit when accompanying a sale of complementing dishes. Moreover, asillustrated in FIG. 6 the crossed interlocking of the panels 11-1 and11-2 results in an accommodating cantilevered capture at various degreesof dish offsets illustrated as Da through Dn. Simply, a well centeredpositioning of each dish is not required as the capturing engagement cantranslate both along and across each panel.

While the foregoing configuration includes the provision of a handle toconform the interlocked combination into a dish carrier, a simpler formillustrated in FIG. 7 useful to serve only as a dish stand generallydesignated by the numeral 110, comprising panels 111-1 and 111-2 againinterlocked but having the handle omitted. Like numbered partsfunctioning in a like manner to that previously described, panels 111-1and 111-2 are again defined by inner edges 11-1 i and 11-2 i which areeach provided with recesses illustrated here as only recesses 15 a and15 n where each are again composed of edge arc segments 18 opposed bythe convex curvatures 17. Of course, the previously describedinterlocking notches and panel extensions are all repeated in thisconfiguration as is also the convenience of use of the upper edges 111-1u and 111-2 u to support yet another dish, each lower support alsoobtaining the forgiving nature of the cantilevered dish capture alsopreviously described.

The above dish supporting benefits and fabrication convenience of afolding panel structure can be further multiplied by joining the freeedges of each panel pair to the corresponding free edges of yet anotherpanel pair in accordance with the second implementation of the presentinvention illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 13. By particular reference toFIGS. 8 through 10, the second inventive implementation, generallydesignated by the numeral 210, comprises two interconnected pairs ofsubstantially similar, generally rectangular panels which by theirsubstantial similarity to the panels previously described shall bedesignated herein as panels 211-1 and 211-2 combining to form the firstpanel pair and panels 221-1 and 221-2 forming the second pair with eachof the panels again defined by a similarly dimensioned rectangularplanform respectively defined by inner longitudinal edges 211-1 i, 211-2i, 221-1 i and 221-2 i and outer longitudinal edges 211-1 o, 211-20,221-1 o and 221-2 o.

Unlike the first inventive implementation, however, the panels of eachpair are not notched for a crossing interlock but are hinged to eachother instead at the upper and lower ends of their inner edges by anupper and a lower hinge 215U and 215L. A similar set of an upper andlower hinge 225U and 225L is then useful to join the upper and lowerends of each of the outer edges 221-1 o and 221-2 o of the second panelpair which, by virtue of the generally similar planform dimensions ofeach of the panels results in a hinged parallelogram structure which canbe collapsed on top of each other for storage, as illustrated in FIG.13, or expanded to the three-dimensional form illustrated in FIGS. 8 and9 and particularly in FIG. 11.

Like numbered parts functioning in a like manner to that previouslydescribed, the hinged inner edges of each of the panel pairs are againprovided with a plurality of matched edge recesses 15-1 through 15-nthat are each lined with the resilient strip 16 to cushion and engage incantilever the edges of received dishes D. Of course, as this secondimplementation entails two such panel pairs the number of dishes thussuspended is accordingly multiplied with the various dish edgeengagements in each instance assured by the shaping of the variousrecesses as previously described.

A resilient telescoping tubular handle structure 230 comprising an innertube segment 231 received within an outer tubular segment 232 is thenengaged at the free ends thereof to hinge pins 215P of each of the upperhinges 215U to serve as a handle bridging across the hingedparallelogram formed by the panels both when collapsed for storage orwhen deployed to support the array of dishes D, with the flexure of thetelescoped handle structure assuring a frictional engagement between thesegments thereof as the loaded assembly 210 is carried. Of course, in amanner well known in the art each of the hinge pins 215P may include athreaded portion 215T to threadably engage the corresponding hingepivot. A pair of opposing exterior pull tabs 235 adjacent the outeredges of each panel pair are then useful to expand a collapsed assemblyinto its three-dimensional form to be supported on the ground G (or onany other horizontal surface) to facilitate the loading and unloading ofthe dishes D.

While in most instances the expanded parallelogram form of this hingedassembly is sufficiently stable for the loading and unloading processeach of the inner edges of each panel pair may include projections211-1P, 211-2P, 221-1P and 221-2P extending distally in a clearingconfiguration below each of the lower hinges 215L to expand thesupporting base dimensions which may be particularly useful in settingswhere large dish arrays are entailed. Of course, it will be appreciatedthat similar base support expansions can be also provided at each of thehinged outer edges and it will also be appreciated that the bridgingdeployment of the handle assembly may extend between the hinges 225U atthe upper ends of the outer edges of each pair.

Referring to FIG. 14, a perspective view of a third implementation ofthe inventive dish support assembly 301 is seen which may be a fixed orportable structure. A base structure 303 may be a box structure or asolid structure which can be lifted and transported. Conversely, basestructure 303 can be a part of another structure, including attachmentto or near a stable structure such as a barbeque side shelf, grill tableor the like. Immediately atop the base structure 303 is a top pivotingstructure 305 which may preferably be pivotally mounted, either to thebase structure 303 or to some other point of support, especially in thecase where base structure 303 is a part of another structure. A handle307 is shown attached to the top pivoting structure 305 to facilitatemanipulation. In the case where inventive dish support assembly 301 isportable, a latch mechanism may be preferable to keep top pivotingstructure 305 closed with respect to base structure 303 duringtransport. A dish D is shown resting atop the top pivoting structure 305to illustrate a possible relative dimension and to show that a pluralityof dishes D might be stackably storable with inventive dish supportassembly 301.

The top pivoting structure 305 has an upper rear edge 309 which is nearand within pivot range of contact of an upper rear edge 311 of the basestructure 303. A hinge 315 is partially seen at a point where the rearlower part of the top pivoting structure 305 contacts the base structure303. Hinge 315 is located such that upon opening of the top pivotingstructure 305 with respect to the base structure 303 that upper rearedge 309 arcs toward upper rear edge 311 until the become closelyadjacent to each other and the top pivoting structure 305 is preventedfrom further pivoting with respect to the base structure 303. Thisrelationship is one of many ways to limit the pivoting displacement ofthe top pivoting structure 305 with respect to any base structureincluding base structure 303.

Referring to FIG. 15, a perspective view of the third implementation ofthe inventive dish support assembly 301 of FIG. 14 is shown with the toppivoting structure 305 shown in a vertical position. Hinge 315 is seenas extending across the boundary between the bottom of the top pivotingstructure 305 and a solid top surface 319 of base structure 303. The toppivoting structure 305 is seen as having a pair of underside members 321which may be present for purposes of strengthening the top pivotingstructure 305. A pair of pivoting panels, including a first pivotingpanel 325 is seen as overlapping a second pivoting panel 327. Firstpivoting panel 325 is attached to top pivoting structure 305 with afirst pivoting panel hinge 331, while second pivoting panel 327 isattached to top pivoting structure 305 with a second pivoting panelhinge 333. The first and second pivoting panel hinges 331 and 333 can beplaced at depths so as to use the pair of underside members 321 to limitthe opening angular displacement of the first and second pivoting panels325 and 327 if desired.

The first and second pivoting panel hinges 331 and 333 are seen with aseries of closed boundary structural openings 337 both for aestheticappearance, for reducing weight of material, and for giving a morecomplete view of any set of dishes D supported by the inventive dishsupport assembly 301 to give a more complete appearance of foodpresentations supported by a set of dishes D. Using the inventive dishsupport assembly 301 as both a presentation display and as a passiveself-service server seems to be a recent trend for flexibility inscheduling and use of banquet personnel. As before, first and secondpivoting panels 325 and 327 have a series of recesses each having anupper curved surface 341 opposite a lower generally straighter surface343.

Each of the first and second pivoting panels 325 and 327 is shown ashaving a lower horizontal projection member 345, with each lowerhorizontal projection member 345 having a surface bearing member 347 forsupportive contact on the solid top surface 319. Other structures otherthan a lower horizontal projection member 345 and a downwardlyprojecting surface bearing member 347 are possible. However, the use ofa lower horizontal projection member 345 gives the ability for somelimited flexing, while the surface bearing member 347 can help toisolate the width of member that should be provided for across thethreshold of any structure leading into the inside of the top pivotingstructure 305, such as when it is box-like, or where structures areincluded and positioned to keep the first and second pivoting panels 325and 327 from deploying except upon positive manipulation. Note that thesolid top surface 315 of base structure 303 can be used such as forlogos and advertising. It is possible for base structure 303 to be boxshaped, and to have a solid surface at the bottom of the box structure(not shown). In this case, the top pivoting structure 305 would have alower line of pivot with respect to a lower level within the box shapedstructure (not shown), for example.

Referring to FIG. 16, a perspective view of the third implementation ofthe inventive dish support assembly of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrates acompletely open and stable deployed position for the inventive dishsupport assembly 301. The first and second pivoting panels 325 and 327are each pivoted to assume an angle with respect to the top pivotingstructure 305 with both the first and second pivoting panels 325 and 327preferably assuming the same angle with respect to the linear width ofthe top pivoting structure 305. The first and second pivoting panels 325and 327 are shown having a width so that the outermost projections caneither touch or be so closely adjacently located that they can visuallyeasily and manually achieve their proper orientation. Of course, thelengths of the first and second pivoting panels 325 and 327 may vary,and where they do not touch each other, but some mechanism would orshould be added to insure that they pivot to the correct angularorientation. The stability created when first and second pivoting panels325 and 327 are brought together can be enhanced with magnet inserts orattachable and detachable devices. It should also be noted that theoverall size of the inventive dish support assembly 301 and dish Dshould insure that adequate clearance will exist between the dish D andthe underside of the top pivoting structure 305 inside the first andsecond pivoting panels 325 and 327.

Referring to FIG. 17, a top view looking down upon the thirdimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly of FIG. 16illustrates the angular position of the first and second pivoting panels325 and 327. The amount of area of solid top surface 319 is also seen asmore than ample, and particularly area of solid top surface 319 from themiddle of the base structure 303 and extending away from the toppivoting structure 305 that will not be blocked or shadowed by anydishes D being supported by first and second pivoting panels 325 and327. Ample space will be had for logo advertising, or attachment of adescription relating to the food which might be pre supported by anydishes D that are supported by first and second pivoting panels 325 and327. Such information may relate to the types of foods present, how thefood was prepared, and any warnings and concerns regarding allergiccomponent content, for example.

Referring to FIG. 18, a perspective view of a second version of a thirdimplementation is seen as an the inventive dish support assembly 351where a third structural member 355 is supported to vertically lift froma rearwardly mounted bracket which is shown in a most simple realizationas a first bracket rail 357 spaced apart from a second bracket rail 359.Logical extension of the area of the first and second bracket rails 357and 359 may lead to a single piece rectangular box shape with an openupper end. The first and second bracket rails 357 and 359 areillustrated in the figures both to emphasize the possibility for aminimalist bracket and to facilitate illustration of the othercomponents of the inventive dish support assembly 351 in the figures.Also emphasized is that first and second bracket rails 357 and 359 needbe only long enough to give stable support, and can garner thatstability based upon what structures are available for affixation.

The first and second bracket rails 357 and 359 may be attached to ornear a stable structure such as a BBQ side shelf, grill table, or thelike, and which is shown as a base structure 361. Inventive dish supportassembly 351 is shown in FIG. 18 in the deployed position in combinationwith support from the base structure 361. The first and second bracketrails 357 and 359 are shown in close attached relationship with the basestructure 361 but in actual used the first and second bracket rails 357and 359 can be attached to any structure. One possibility would be forfirst and second bracket rails 357 and 359, instead of being attachedforward to the base structure 361, may be attached to a wall, especiallywhere base structure 361 is mobile and can be positioned in front of thefirst and second bracket rails 357 and 359. In this configuration, itmay be more helpful to replace first and second bracket rails 357 and359 with a box so that the stowage of the inventive dish supportassembly 351 would prevent it from being seen when not in use. Thisconfiguration would be especially advantageous for a multi-use room of arestaurant, for example where walls may provide greater stability than amoveable small table.

In FIG. 18, third structural member 355 pivotably supports a firstpivoting panel 365 and a second pivoting panel 367. However, secondpivoting panel 367 is shown to have a handle portion 371 which maynormally extend above third structural member 355 and include a handleslot 373 having a handle member 375 to broaden the area of manualengagement. Third structural member 355 has a top member 377 and a pairof underside members 379. The geometry with which the handle portion 371of the second pivoting panel 367 and its handle slot 373 is accommodatedby the structural member 355 top member 377 as it extends upwardly andbeyond the confines of the storage area within the third structuralmember 355 may vary. The top member 377 may simply have an abbreviateddepth which accommodates the thickness of the handle portion 371, or theupper part of the second pivoting panel 367 may have a slight “S” bendthat enables the lower part of second pivoting panel 367 to fit withinthe confines of the third structural member 355 up to or near the levelof the top member 377.

First and second pivoting panels 365 and 367 have features in commonwith first and second pivoting panels 325 and 327 seen in FIGS. 14-17. Afirst pivoting panel hinge 381 (obscured due to the angle of view ofFIG. 18) and a second pivoting panel hinge 383 enable the first andsecond pivoting panels 365 and 367 to the deployed position see in FIG.18, and to a stowed position. First and second pivoting panels 365 and367 also have a number of closed boundary structural openings 387, and aseries of recesses each having an upper curved surface 391 opposite alower generally straighter surface 393. The lower generally straightersurface 393, like surface 343 need not be completely linear, both foraesthetics and to support any lower protrusion on dish D. First andsecond pivoting panels 365 and 367 each also have a lower horizontalprojection member 395 and a surface bearing member 397.

However, unlike the case of the inventive dish support assembly 301which had its own attached base structure 303, the inventive dishsupport assembly 351 may not have some other structure of adequate areaand support upon which the structure upon which the surface bearingmember 397 of the lower horizontal projection member 395 can depend, andsome secure mechanism should be available to indicate that the inventivedish support assembly 351 is in a stable deployed position. A pivotingsupport 401 has a hinge 405 that connects it to a lower end of the thirdstructural member 355. The pivoting support 401 can be provided in anumber of shapes, but the shape here is generally that of an annulartriangle having a closed boundary structural openings 407 and a pair ofprojections 409 which can help indicate the extent of a top surfacelikely to underlie dishes D. When the pivoting support 401 moves from avertical position to a horizontal position, especially touching a solidtop surface 411 of base structure 361, and especially downwardlyreinforced by the first and second bracket rails 357 and 359, it may actto lock the third structural member 355 against downward movement withrespect to the first and second bracket rails 357 and 359. Such lockingaction can occur with respect to a base structure 361, or with respectto first and second bracket rails 357 and 359 if the pivoting support401 is wide enough, or if the first and second bracket rails 357 and 359are close enough together or blended or connected at the top to form astructure over which the pivoting support 401 may extend. At the top ofthe third structural member 355 the extent to which handle portion 371extends above third structural member 355 is noticed.

Referring to FIG. 19, a perspective view of the second version of thethird implementation of the inventive dish support assembly 351 of FIG.18 is shown with the first and second pivoting panels 365 and 367 ofthird structural member 355 in a largely stowed position, but with thethird structural member 355 still above the first and second bracketrails 357 and 359. The position shown in FIG. 19 is that such that thefirst steps toward stowing have been accomplished. The next step is tolift the pivoting support 401 to enable the third structural member 355to be moved downwardly as guided by the first and second bracket rails357 and 359 to complete stowing the inventive dish support assembly 351.

Referring to FIG. 20, a top view of the second version of the inventivedish support assembly 351 in a position as it was seen in FIG. 18. Theannular triangular shape of the pivoting support 401 and the pair ofprojections 409 assist in getting a visual cue while manually settingthe position of the first and second pivoting panel 365 and 367. In FIG.20, it is most noticeable that the most distal end of the handle portion371 extends beyond the apex of the meeting of the first and secondpivoting panel 365 and 367, especially when handle portion 371 isdesigned to generally center with respect to the third structural member355. Also more clearly seen are the first and second pivoting panelhinges 381 and 383. The first and second pivoting panel 365 and 367 areseen as having a right angled, ninety degree orientation, but aperpendicular relative angle between the first and second pivoting panel365 and 367 is not required. The angular relationship can be narrower orwider in either direction. A dish D, can be supported with wider ornarrower angled first and second pivoting panels 365 and 367.

Referring to FIG. 21, a perspective view of the second version of thethird implementation of the inventive dish support assembly 351 FIGS.18-20. In FIG. 21 a nearly fully stowed position is achieved with thethird structural member 355 shown at a lowered position with respect tothe first and second bracket rails 357 and 359. The position shown isalso a view such that the third structural member 355 may have been justlifted to begin to deploy the inventive dish support assembly 351. FIG.21 also emphasizes the possibility that the stop position for the thirdstructural member 355 can be supplied to limit the downward movement ofthe third structural member 355 using any number of structures,including: limit pins on the third structural member 355 and matchingslots on the first and second bracket rails 357 and 359; a stop pinmounted on the rear of the handle portion 371, a bracket underneath thethird structural member 355 where the first and second bracket rails 357and 359 are wall mounted; and many more possibilities. Also seen in FIG.21 is the vertical position of the pivoting support 401 which isachieved during late stowage and early deployment.

Referring to FIG. 22, a plan view looking into the inventive dishsupport assembly 351 of FIGS. 18-21, but particularly similar to theview of FIG. 18, illustrates the shapes formed by the bilateral bringingtogether of the first and second pivoting panel 365 and 367 and formedby the opposite pairs of upper curved surfaces 391 and lower generallystraighter surfaces 393. Spaces for fitting a bowl B and dish D areshown in broken line format.

Referring to FIG. 23, a right side view of the second version of thethird implementation of the inventive dish support assembly 351 of FIGS.18-22 is shown, but corresponding more nearly to the position seen inFIG. 18, is shown. In FIG. 23 a bowl B and dish D is shown as supportedby the inventive dish support assembly 351. The view of FIG. 23 is alsoimportant as it sets a look-through perspective which can encouragediscussion and consideration of first and second pivoting panel 365 and367 which approach each other at different angles, but the effectiveequivalent side view will generally not change over the angular range ofapproach of the of first and second pivoting panel 365 and 367 which maypreferably be from thirty degrees to one hundred fifty degrees, and morepreferably from sixty degrees to one hundred twenty degrees and may mostpreferably be ninety degrees. Using the law of sines and cosines, thedimensions, angles, arc radii of the view of FIG. 23 can be operatedupon to yield the dimensions, angles, arc radii of a flat panel such aspanels 365 or 367.

Referring to FIG. 24 a front plan view taken of the second version ofthe third implementation of the inventive dish support assembly 351 ofFIGS. 18-23 is shown, but corresponding more nearly to the position seenin FIG. 19, is shown. In FIG. 24 the pivoting support 401 is in raisedposition and the third structural member 355 is shown slightly higherwith respect to the first and second bracket rails 357 and 359. The viewof FIG. 24 also illustrates the handle portion 371 may be slightly toone side when the first and second pivoting panel 365 and 367 are shownin the stowed position.

Referring to FIG. 25 a right side view of the second version of thethird implementation of the inventive dish support assembly 351 of FIGS.18-24 is shown, but corresponding more nearly to the position seen inFIG. 21, is shown. In FIG. 25 the compactness of the components (shownin broken line format) within the third structural member 355 are seen.In FIG. 25 the ordering of the pivoting support 401, second pivotingpanel 367 and first pivoting panel 365 are seen.

Referring to FIG. 26 a schematic right side view of the inventive dishsupport assembly 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351, similar to that seen in FIG.10, & FIG. 23 is used to illustrate a view across the pair of angledmembers that project the angled pairs of upper curved surface 15, 16,341, & 391 opposite the angled pairs of lower generally straightersurface 17, 343, & 393. The schematic system seen in FIG. 26 will beused to illustrate the essence of a Waksul system 425. seen in FIGS.1-24. An arc segment of a circle having radius R with respect to anorigin 427 is shown as arc segment 429. The arc segment 429 is arepresentation of a plan view projection of a side view of the angledpairs of upper curved surface 15, 16, 341, & 391, regardless of theangle taken by pairs of any of the panels 11, 111, 211, 221, 325 and327, 365, or 367 that provide angled pairs of upper curved surface 15,16, 341, & 391. Likewise, a chord line 431 is a representation of a planview projection of a side view of the angled pairs of lower generallystraighter surface 17, 343, & 393 regardless of the angle taken by pairsof any of the panels 11, 111, 211, 221, 325, 327, 365, or 367 thatprovide angled pairs of lower generally straighter surface 17, 343, &393.

The arc segment 429 opposite a chord line 431 are used to describe thebasic opposing shapes of the Waksul system 425. The general limits willbe given followed by practical relaxation of aspects of the geometry ofthe arc segment 429 and chord line 431. The basic shape of theprojection of the opening for supporting dish D and bowl B is describedby arc segment 429 and chord line 431. A vertical line from theuppermost height of the circle from which arc segment 429 is taken andextending back to the origin 427 includes a dimension H1 from theuppermost height of the arc segment 429 to the chord line 431, and adimension X1 from the chord line 431 and back to the origin 427. Themeeting point of H1 and X1 is vertically at a point 435, and which mayalso be referred to as a theoretical fulcrum point.

The length of the chord line 431 is designated as L1. Regardless of thearc segment radius R, a Waksul ratio of L1 divided by H1 can bedesignated W. It has been discovered that the system of FIG. 26 mayreduce itself to a series of three equations to be used to select arange of optimum values for H1, L1 and R, and are as follows:

W=(L1)/(H1)  (1)

R=(X1)+(H1)  (2)

R=H1(1+W ²)/2  (3)

The length of the chord line L1 can readily be found by noting in FIG.26 that the points including origin 427, point 443 and point 435 forms aright triangle with lengths X1, L1 and R such that the pythagoreantheorem can be applied to supply the equation (X1 ²+L1 ²=R²). As suchonce R is set and once H1 is specified, L1 is readily obtainable and theequations describing the inventive system will be completely known.

Equation (1) is an equation for a factor W which equals the ratio to thelength of the L1 of the chord line 431 to the distance H1. Equation (2)is simply a realization that for the vertical distance along the radiusline R, that a bisection of the line R at any point produces an upperdistance H1 and a lower distance X1 that sum to the total length of theradius R. Equation (3) is the equation that operates to give pairs ofvalues (and ranges of values) of H1 and R which are acceptable for theinventive dish assemblies 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351. For these ranges ofvalues of H1 and R, corresponding values of L1 are determined throughthe selected Waksul factor W.

Inventive dish assemblies 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351 will preferably haveWaksul factors W between the values of 1.30 and 5.0, and even morepreferably between the values of 1.50 and 1.90 with the ideal value mostpreferably being about 1.75. These considerations are understood withthe knowledge that actual Inventive dish assemblies 10, 110, 210, 301, &351 are expected to have shape difference that significantly differ fromthe diagram of FIG. 26. Further, it is understood that the system ofFIG. 26 need only be replicated to reproduce portions of shapes uppercurved surface 15, 16, 341, & 391 where supportive engagement with adish D or bowl B is likely to occur. It is also understood that thesystem of FIG. 26 need only be replicated to reproduce portions of thegenerally straighter surface 17, 343, & 393 where supportive engagementwith a dish D or bowl B is likely to occur.

The vertically uppermost point of the circle from which the arc segment429 is taken, may be labeled point 441. The intersection of the circlefrom which arc segment 429 is taken may be labeled point 443. It isclear that a bowl B or dish D having a height H1 will not be effectivelysupported by contact with the arc segment 429 immediately adjacent point441. As the portion of the arc segment 429 being engaged is morevertical, any bowl B or dish D will have a lesser ability to support adownward force moment.

Remembering that the diagram of FIG. 26 is not to scale and that a rangeof values for R and for H1 are possible, and for visual understandingand reference, a number of points will be identified that will assist ina discussion of variances in the shape of the arc segment 429 and chordline 431. A description of variations at the area where arc segment 429and chord line 431 meet, as well as the extremes distal to the areawhere arc segment 429 and chord line 431 meet will assist in identifyingpermissible design changes for visual aesthetics and other reasons, andyet not deviate from the basic Waksul inventive design, of whichinventive dish assembly 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351 are only a few ofthousands of examples.

Discussion of variances referred to above be facilitated by anindication of additional points (not to scale) generally for three areasof the schematic of FIG. 26. A point 451 spaced apart from point 441along arc segment 429 is shown, and a point 453 spaced apart from point443 along arc segment 429 is also shown. A point 455 is shown spacedapart from point 435 along chord line 431. A reduced height portion ofchord line 431 is seen as a lower level line 461 which transitions to aparallel path with chord line 461 and which begins at point 465.

A first area where deviation may be expected is between points 441 and451. In general, depending upon the values chosen for R and H1, it maybe unlikely that a bowl B or dish D could be selected that would engageand gather effective support by engagement along arc segment 429 betweenpoints 441 and 451. It is thus expected that a designer might eliminatethe arc segment 429 between points 441 and 451 completely, or change theshape of arc segment 429 between points 441 and 451 to an upward ordownward flair, for example. The result is that an inventive dishsupport assembly 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351 could be provided where thearc segment 429 between points 441 and 451 was eliminated or changedradically such as by replacing it with a fanciful or attractive shapefor aesthetic purposes, and yet still fit within the inventive Waksulformula.

A second area where deviation may be expected is between points 443 and453. A designer might have a pre-existing range of sizes for bowl B ordish D, and choose values for H1 and L1 that give that designer the bestresults for a inventive dish assembly 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351, orother similar structure. It is thus expected that a designer mighteliminate a portion of the arc segment 429 between points 443 and 453 byeither providing a direct or angled line from point 453 and downward tothe chord line 431, or in the alternative by changing the shape of thearc segment 429 into a different shape and extending boundary betweenpoint 453 and where it meets chord line 431 at a point farther to theright of point 443 and extending the length L1 of the chord line 431. Adesigner might do this for a fanciful pattern and effect. Extending orcontracting chord line 431 on its right hand side, near the area wherearc line 429 meets chord line 431 (especially to disrupt the arc shape,increase the depth, or truncate the depth of the area between chord line431 and arc segment 429 near point 443) has minimal effect uponperformance of inventive dish assembly 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351, orother similar structure constructed according to the Waksul formula.

A third area where deviation might be expected is between points 435 and455. However, shortening chord line 431 from the intersection of thechord line 431 and a vertical radius R extending downward from point 441at point 435, as by removal of material between points 435 and 455,could compromise performance. The forces developed to support a dish D,in the schematic diagram of FIG. 26 as drawn, is an upper force momentbetween point 435 as a fulcrum point which supports a lower portion ofdish D in an upward direction, combined with a downward force moment onan upper edge of a dish D at a point of engagement of an upper edge ofdish D at a point of engagement of the arc segment 429. So long as anengagement of dish D on the arc segment 429 coupled with a sufficientfulcrum located at point 435 the dish D will be best supported. Thus, ifmaterial is removed between points 435 and 455, performance may suffer,and may cause loss of reliable support of a number of different sizesand types of dishes D and bowls B that can be supported.

A fourth area where deviation might be expected is between points 465and 443 and is shown as a further accommodating deviation from astrictly linear chord line 431 is seen as an lower level line 461 whichtransitions to a parallel path with chord line 461 at point 465 andextending to a point near or to point 443. It may be common for dish Dto have a downwardly disposed bottom rim raised from its central planarextent and just a few inches inside its outermost concentric extent. Fora completely flat chord line 431, a downwardly disposed bottom rim on adish D could act as a secondary pivot, operable to cause dish D to havea false fulcrumatic position. A downwardly disposed bottom rim on a dishD might make a false fulcrum point but located much closer to point 443.Since a stable fulcrum engagement farthest away from point 443, providesthe stability needed, any accommodation for the disruptive rim canimprove performance. Providing for an alternative, lowered level line461 beyond a point 465 is only one example of a change that would bemore stabilizing. Other variations might include abbreviating 461 andre-continuing with chord line 431 on the way to point 443, as well as aangular transition rather than the smooth transition seen in FIG. 26. Inany event, it is preferable that there be sufficient chord line 431between point 455 and point 465 to form a stable support for dish D orbowl B, as well as enough chord line 431 in the direction of point 435to form a stable fulcrum support for dish D or bowl B. Since the Waksulsystem 425 relates to a device which supports against the force ofgravity, an evaluation of any structure with respect to the Waksulformula can be based upon finding origin 427 vertically or by referenceto the radius of an arc segment 429. Further, arc segment 429 may be ablended arc such that a test for the Waksul formula may be applied toindividual arc segments 429 within the blend.

A discussion of the above deviations emphasizes that the visualappearance of a given inventive dish support assembly 10, 110, 210, 301and 351, can be permitted and yet it still be shown to fit within theWaksul system 425 by using the equations (1), (2), & (3) and identifyingan effective arc segment 429 and identifying an effective chord line 431in a given inventive dish support assembly. As has been discussed, thematerials from which inventive dish support assemblies 10, 110, 210, 301and 351 are constructed can be elastomeric, no-slip materials. Inaddition an elastomeric no-slip added member can cover all or a part ofthe arc segment 429, chord line 431 and other parts of the inventivedish support assemblies 10, 110, 210, 301 and 351. Referring to FIG. 27a sectional view taken along line 27-27 is used to illustrate onepossible configuration of a non-slip elastomeric insert 471. Insert 471can be a continuous length of material or cut into strips. Insert 471 isseen as providing an expanded width face to either the upper curvedsurface 391 opposite the lower generally straighter surface 393 in anumber of circumstances. One circumstance may include the provision of afresh surface to surfaces 391 and 393 which have been worn especiallywhere the panels 325, 327 365 or 367 have been dipped with a non-slipmaterial overlay, for example.

Referring to FIG. 28, an exploded perspective view of a fourthimplementation of the inventive dish support assembly seen as dishsupport assembly 501 and which is of simple construction. Dish supportassembly 501 is shown as having a base 503 and a pair of elongatecylindrical shaped supports 507 and 509 that may be referred to in theindustry as large diameter wire supports. Supports 507 and 509 mayinclude a solid metal cylindrical core surrounded by a dipped or sprayapplied elastomeric coating to assist in frictional engagement of platesor dishes D or bowls B (as will be later shown) to be supported as seenin previous figures. In general, beginning with the upper end of support509, it may terminate in a short upwardly turned portion 511. Along thelength of the supports 507 and 509, the lead line 515 may refer to thesurface and/or outer elastomeric material, while lead line 517, shown incontact with the dashed extent of the internal wire, indicates thepossibly underlying material 517 which gives the supports 507 and 509their structural support. Underlying material 517 may be preferably madeof steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium or other structurallystable materials that can be used for support. The underlying material517 need not be solid and need not have a constant cylindrical crosssection.

In terms of structural shape, the supports 507 and 509 may be seen toprovide a generally repeating pattern of shapes constituting platesupport structures, of which supports 507 and 509 are depicted in FIG.28 as having three. It is understood that for a given embodiment that acooperating pair of supports 507 and 509 may have one, two, three, fouror more plate support structures. The basic plate support structuretypically includes an upper curved portion surface 521 which is seen toangle at a sharp angled turn 523 into a generally straighter portion 525which may or may not include a lower level portion 527 as part of ageneralized chord line portion 529, such as to accommodate any downwardrim projections on a given plate or dish D. At the end of the generallystraighter portion 525, a downward turn to an abbreviated verticalportion 531 is seen and is such that the length of the abbreviatedvertical portion 531 sets the spacing between adjacent basic platesupport structures. At the lower end of the abbreviated vertical portion531, a plate holding unit structure 535 which includes upper curvedportion surface 521, generally straighter portion 525 and optionaldownward turn to an abbreviated vertical portion 531 is seen to repeat,thus repeating the structures of the basic plate support structures.

In each of the supports 507 and 509 a series of three plate holding unitstructures 535 are seen. Below the lowest generally straighter portion525, and perhaps from a point just below the uppermost abbreviatedvertical portion 531, any structure may be provided to anchor thesupports 507 and 509 to the base 503. A curved section 537 ends anoptional angled insertion section 539.

Optional angled insertion section 539 which is shown as potentiallystripped of the surface and/or outer elastomeric material 515, but thisneed not always be the case. In some cases the underlying material 517can be formed of a high friction material which might, in some cases,remove the need for surface and/or outer elastomeric material 515. Thesame may apply to materials that can be formed with a heterogeneousgradient that will be structurally strong at the core and yet have ahigh friction preferably partially compressible outer surface. The useof a underlying material 517 that may be dipped or sprayed with asurface and/or outer elastomeric material 515 is illustrated as it is acombination that is more directly controllable and more easilydifferentiated in terms of the materials 515 and 517.

Underlying material 517 as a separate material can be metal or compositeand should have an ability to have an exterior that can be permanentlybonded to a surface and/or outer elastomeric material 515 having such ahigh friction coefficient. Where the surface and/or outer elastomericmaterial 515 is particularly soft, the optional angled insertion section539 can have such soft material removed for exacting fit into the bores541. In other cases, where the material 515 has a thin layer, the bores541 may be of a shape and depth to provide support for plates and dishesD even with the presence of the surface and/or outer elastomericmaterial 515.

However, removal of the material to expose the angled insertion sections539 can, depending upon the materials of the base structure 503 andunderlying material 517, assist in forming a tighter, more stableconnection. Much greater control can be had, such as a friction fittaper, or a controlled tolerance fit. In particular where a positive,close tolerance fit is desired, and where the angle of support can bechosen, the capacity of the number and size of plates and dishes D thatan inventive dish assembly 501 can accommodate can also be specified.The inventive dish assembly 501 can be designed to support a number ofdifferent sized platters, plates, bowls, fry pans, cookie sheets, bakingsheets, pie pans and pie plates to name a few. Dish assembly 501 canalso be advantageously used for hot dishes D especially to give somecontrol over cooling with less required space. Inventive dish assembly501 is for supporting such structures if they are not too big orotherwise proper.

Base 503 is shown as having a circular structure, although any overall“footprint” shape can be utilized, including square, oval, star-shaped,flower-shaped, thematic designs and unusual patterns. Further, base 503is seen as having a pair of bores 541 which may or may not be blindbores. Base 503 is shown as having a thickness dimension 545 which mayenable a significant depth of the bores 541 and thus the extent to whichthe angled insertion sections 539 may be introduced into the bores 541to better stabilize, support and anchor the supports 507 and 509 to thebase 503.

The angled insertion sections 539 should preferably closely fit thebores 541 to provide a stable support platform for dishes D (previouslyshown). The three structural components, including base 503 and supports507 and 509 can be used in a number of ways to form the inventive dishsupport assembly 501. First, because there are only 3 parts, and two maybe identical, an operational use which provided for setup and breakdownof the inventive dish support assembly 501 at each use location wouldalso provide minimal storage and carriage space possibilities. As willbecome apparent, the supports 507 and 509 can be made to lie flat upondisassembly to lie atop or within a pair of parallel planes, which is tomean that the bending occurs at a right angle to a plane of reference.Thus, although the supports 507 and 509 can have a more complex shapefor aesthetics purposes, it may have a lesser cost and greater utilityby being flat to a plane of reference. Therefore they may be stacked ina flat box.

Further, because the supports 507 and 509 may be identical, they mayalso have some stacking affinity orthogonal to their main planar extent,such as fitting on a stacking rack. With these capabilities, largenumbers of the dish assemblies 501 can be efficiently stored for quickdeployment. Assembly is accomplished by placing the base 503 on asurface and then inserting the angled insertion sections 539 of each ofthe two supports 507 and 509 into the bores 541 of the base 503. Theshape of the insertion sections 539 may be complementary to the insideof the bores 541 of the base 503 in order to set the angularrelationship of the two supports 507 and 509 with respect to each otherupon setup. In the alternative, some other structure may be used to settheir angular relationship upon setup.

A second mode of operation may be to permanently fix the two supports507 and 509 with respect to the base 503 so that the inventive dishsupport assembly 501 will, in essence, exist permanently as a one piecestructure. Insertion sections 539 can be fixed with respect to base 503by any method, and in fact, the base 503 can be formed integral with thesupports 507 and 509 structure, such as by molding the base preferablywith extended structure continuations of insertion sections 539 beingpresent for base 503 to be molded around.

Referring to FIG. 29, a view seen from the same vantage point that FIG.28 was seen, but with the inventive dish support 501 assembly showingthe elongate cylindrical shaped supports 507 and 509 attached to thebase 503, with the curved sections 537 seen ending at boundaries 549.Again, the shape, length, extended area and interconnectedness of theabbreviated vertical portions 531 to each other can be extensive withinthe thickness dimension 545 of the base 503 where base 503 is formed. Asbefore, the angularity between the supports 507 and 509 can be set bycontrolling the shape of the insertion sections 539 and bores 541, or byproviding extensions of the lower extent of the supports 507 and 509within the base 503, or a connector, connection, or engaging spacer canbe attached between opposite and adjacent abbreviated vertical portions531. One possible interconnectivity route might include a continuouslength of underlying material 517 as an integral loop 551 extendingthrough the base 503 such that it may be more preferable to formintegral loop 551 and supports 507 and 509 as a solid connected piece,either joined by welding or formed from one length of starting material.Where the integral loop 551 is large enough and has a significantfootprint, it might displace the base 503. Plates or Dishes D are alsoshown in FIG. 29 as being supported by the shapes formed in the supports507 and 509.

Referring to FIG. 30, a plan view taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 29 setsthe view of dish support assembly 501 from a lateral and somewhatvantage point illustrating supported plates or dishes D as well aspossible slight rearward tilt of the elongate cylindrical shapedsupports 507 and 509 which was also seen in FIG. 29, but not asdefinitively as it is seen in FIG. 30. An optional thinner base 555 isshown as having a reduced thickness dimension 561 and having a pair ofreinforcing bosses 565 (only one of which is seen in FIG. 30) into whichthe angled insertion sections 539 pair of elongate cylindrical shapedsupports 507 and 509 may be well supported, especially if the base 555and reinforcing bosses 565 are made of a sufficiently strong metal. Notethe slight angular tilt of the shaped supports 507 and 509 toward anouter extent of, and away from the center of base 555. This slight tilt,where the dishes D are all the same diameter and height, can provideslightly more visual exposure of the lower dishes D in the stack. Putanother way, it will help to slightly mitigate the extent that a largerdish D can obscure the view of a dish D below it, even if all the dishesD are of a different height and diameter.

The base 555 may be formed as a one piece object with the reinforcingbosses 565 formed integrally or attached by welding and the like.Further, as is emphasized in FIG. 30, the angle of the bosses 565, andthe angle and curvature of the curved section 537 can be selected foreither greater strength or style. Put another way, the thickness andangle of departure of the bosses 565 and the curved section 537 can beadjusted. Moreover, the types of materials for the supports 507 and 509and the bases 503 and 555 can vary widely. Thick materials will havegreater strength, but thinner materials may have more aesthetic appeal.

Referring to FIG. 31, a plan view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30illustrates the bilateral symmetry from the viewpoint from behind theelongate cylindrical shaped supports 507 and 509. The closeness of theabbreviated vertical portions 531 and of the uppermost short upwardlyturned portion 511 suggests that in instances where it is not desirableto provide angular rotational restriction about the angled insertionsections 539 to prevent rotation of the pair of elongate cylindricalshaped supports 507 and 509, that a joining structure can be used to fixthe rotational position of the elongate cylindrical shaped supports 507and 509 with respect to each other. Such a rotational fixation structurecould also be used as a sign, either for advertising or to indicate thetype of food located on the dishes D of that particular dish supportassembly 501. Even where a structure was not needed for fixation, theshort upwardly turned portions 511 can be used to support a sign orother indicator (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 32, a top view taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 31, andlooking down and over the pair of elongate cylindrical shaped supports507 and 509 and the base 555, the circumferential outward tilt of thesupports 507 and 509 are seen more clearly. The dishes D of FIG. 32 areseen has having diameters that are approximately equal to each other andillustrate a more even tiered appearance. Note the diameter of the base555 may be smaller than the dishes D supported. Note also that thecenter of each dish D at each level of support can be seen as havingcenters that are offset with respect to each other. Note also that thecenter of support of each dish D overlies the boundary of the base 555to give stability even if only one dish D is supported. The lowestsupported dish D is the most forward (away from the bosses 565) but thehighest supported dish has a center of gravity that is still forward ofthe boss 539.

Referring to FIG. 33, a plan view of an embodiment is show from aviewpoint similar to the view of the embodiment seen in FIG. 30. A pairof elongate cylindrical shaped supports of which only support 571 isseen, provides a doubling of material for the structure to supportdishes D and a bowl B. A view looking into support 571 provides a lookat its shape and shows somewhat of an extension of the upwardly turnedportion 511 seen in FIGS. 28-32, with that extended length of material573 looping up to form an open handle space 575 and then extending backalong the plate support structures passing adjacent to each of the sharpangled turns 523 and then ending adjacent the curved sections 537 seenending at boundaries 549 at the entry of base 503. Additional structuralintegrity is supplied by the support had by the material of the upperpart of the handle space 575 by added suspension forces to the materialforming the plate support structures (upper curved portion surface 521,sharp angled turn 523, & generally straighter portion 525), lateralsupport adjacent the sharp angled turns 523, and a common tie androtational stability due to the adjacent portions of the underlyingmaterial 517 within the base 503. The configuration of FIG. 33 givesadditional strength, or alternatively enables the use of a smallereffective diameter surface and/or outer elastomeric material 515 andunderlying material 517 that a different, more slender look can beachieved. Further, if the underlying material 517 is welded at thelocations of the sharp angled turn 523 before the material 515 isapplied, each of the three plate support areas will be somewhattriangularly reinforced. All of these factors enable a more slender lookfrom lesser diameter materials and enable a more slender look withoutcompromising physical integrity of the support 501.

Referring to FIG. 34, a plan view taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33illustrates a rear view closest to the extended length of material 573.The other elongate cylindrical support 577 is seen opposite the elongatecylindrical shaped support 571. The view of FIG. 34 emphasizes abilateral symmetry and somewhat shows the points of adjacency of thesharp angled turn 523 with respect to the extended lengths of material573. The view of FIGS. 34 and 31 emphasize how will the inventive dishassembly 501 evenly distributes the support of both dishes D and bowlsB.

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the the inventivedish assembly 601. A first panel 603 and second panel 605 are both showntilted with respect to a series of joining structures such as hinges607, with hinges 607 shown in vertical pivoting alignment. The use ofhinges 607 will enable the first and second panels 603 and 605 to befolded flat and adjacent each other for quick deployment and storage.Structures which enable pivoting need not be used in order for the dishassembly 601 structure to function. First, other structures can be usedto enable quick disassembly and flat storage, such as hooks, magnets,hook & loop fasteners, quick release fasteners and more. However, whereit is desired to use a system in which the dish assembly 601 may bestored in its deployment position, it can be stacked either horizontallyor vertically using a nested technique. Further, the size and capacityof the dish assembly 601 is such as might be used to support 4 objects,but it can be made taller and support more than 4 objects or smaller andable to support less objects. Size may be a factor in determiningwhether it is more desirable to have a fixed or stowable structure.

Achievement of the deployment orientation for a stowable structure canbe set by angular limitation, guides, bases that dictate orientation andother structures. In one instance hinges 607 may be provided that arelimited in their angle of hinged pivot in order to set a maximum angulardisplacement between the first panel 603 and second panel 605, andhinges 607 should be load bearing. Hinges 607 may include a commonpivoting section 609 and a pair of attachment plates 611. The positionof the first and second panels 603 and 605 and the hinges 607 is shownas if they where laid flat with attachment plates 611 lying parallel,and the first and second panels 603 and 605 lying flat in a position tolaterally approach the attachment plates 611 of the hinges 607 forattachment. In reality, the hinges 607 may be angular limited so thatthe attachment plates 611 will be incapable of lying in the same plane,during normal use with the view and arrangement seen in FIG. 35 beingimpossible to achieve as a practical matter without disassembly of thehinges 607. Other mechanisms to limit the angular pivot of the firstpanel 603 with respect to the second panel 605 are possible.

A holding unit structure 615 is seen to include the upper curved portionsurface 621, and a turn 623 which connects to a generally straighterportion 625 as described for the previous embodiments. As before, theholding unit structure 615 will preferably have a non-slip surfaceassociated with it, either by attachment, dipping or spraying a coatingonto part or all of the first and second panels 603 and 605 or othertechnique. A pair of adjacently located holding unit structure 615angled with respect to each other forms a dish accommodation space. Aseries of the abbreviated vertical portions 627 lie between the holdingunit structures 615 and also provide the closest points of adjacency forthe first and second panels 601 and 603 in a deployed position, and theideal location for interposed attachment of the hinges 607. Thus eachpanel's closest front edge are closer to each other and include theholding unit structures 615 separated by abbreviated vertical portions627.

Also seen with respect to the first and second panels 603 and 605 are acurved rear edge 629, an upper generally straight edge 631 a rear footprojection 633, a front foot projection 635, and a cutout or slot 637interposed between the rear foot projection 633 and front footprojection 635. It is understood that rear foot projection 633, frontfoot projection 635, & slot 637 are all structural options, and areshown to emphasize that foot projections 633 and 635 can be used forstable support of the panels, and to emphasize that the support of thefirst and second panels 603 and 605 can be had by support from anotherobject or base (not shown in FIG. 35) In addition, the slot 637 may haveany number of shapes, especially where the first and second panels 603and 605 may either supported by or interfitting with other objects. Alowest one of the abbreviated vertical portions 627 is seen as a basefront 639 which is in front of the material below the lowermostgenerally straighter portion 625 and in front of the front footprojection 635. Note that the series of the abbreviated verticalportions 627 may form an angle with respect to the lower extent of the arear foot projection 633 and front foot projection 635 of about 16°(sixteen degrees) with the holding unit structures 615 not beingindividually tilted or inclined.

This is not to say that the holding unit structures 615 cannot beslightly tilted or inclined for other effects, but that generally theholding unit structures 615 are shown as being vertically linearlyprogressively staggered to place the top holding unit structures 615closer to a center of gravity of the inventive dish assembly 601 thanthe bottom holding unit structures 615. In addition, dramatic effectscan be achieved by including a more severe incline from vertical,including a wide horizontal separation of supported objects by anysupport structure, including inventive dish assembly 601. The angle ofinclination can vary between about 0° (zero degrees) where the axis ofpivot is vertical, to about 45° (forty-five degrees) where eachsupported object (not shown) might have its point of support generallyseparated vertically and horizontally by substantially the same amounts.As a result, it can be seen that each subsequent holding unit structure615 is set farther back with respect to the next most adjacent holdingunit structure 615 beneath it so that any support at a higher level oneof the holding unit structures 615 will be supported closer to avertical center of the dish assembly 601 taken with respect to adirection orthogonal to a line between rear foot projection 633 andfront foot projection 635.

Referring to FIG. 36, a view looking at the edge of the rightmost panel605 from a view taken along line 36-36 illustrates the thin profile ofthe second panel 605 seen in FIG. 35. The segmented structures of FIG.36 are seen at an angle corresponding to the view of FIG. 35, or elsethe generally straighter portion 625 would not be as observable.

Referring to FIG. 37, a side view of the assembled dish assembly 601whose component parts were seen in FIGS. 35 & 36, illustrates a viewlooking perpendicular to a middle plane between the first and secondpanels 603 and 605 as the dish assembly 601 is shown in a deployedposition. Dish assembly 601 is viewed such that only the first panel 603is visible, and is shown with examples of various bowls B, dishes D andlarge bowls LB shown in broken line format in a position supported bythe assembled dish assembly 601. The middle plane is somewhatrepresented by line 38-38, and the series of the abbreviated verticalportions 627 are aligned to indicate the axis of pivot of the firstpanel 603 and second panel 605 to each other and is seen to be declinedfrom the vertical by about 16° (sixteen degrees). The view of FIG. 37graphically illustrates a stepped back holding unit structure will allowfor easy reach and manipulation of food items on (and in) the variousbowls B, dishes D and large bowls LB while held on the dish assembly601. Extension of the generally straighter portion 625 of the dishassembly 601. structure significantly further than the upper curvedportion surface 621 enables a greater variety of dishes D, bowls B andlarge bowls LB with wider rims that can be held safely in a cantileveredmanner.

Further, the progressive further rearward location of each successiveholding unit structure 615 helps distribute the center of gravity ofdishes D held in the dish assembly 601 over a larger area, allowing fora smaller base footprint. Dish assembly 601 has efficient stowagecharacteristics and can tolerate support even where only upper ones ofthe holding unit structure 615 are loaded with dishes D. Dish assembly601 accomplishes this advantage in a form that may or may not includeother base structures (not shown in FIGS. 35-37).

Referring to FIG. 38, a front plan view of the assembled dish assembly601 of FIGS. 35-37 is shown. In FIG. 38 the view is looking in parallelto the midline plane generally represented in line 38-38. FIG. 38illustrates the forward structure to which various bowls B and dishes Dshown in broken line format approach on loading.

Referring to FIG. 39, a top view looking down onto the assembled dishassembly of FIGS. 35-38 and particularly looking down along line 39-39of FIG. 38 illustrates the tilted corner, similar to a pyrimidalsection, formed by the adjacent series of the abbreviated verticalportions 627 seen in FIG. 35. FIG. 39 is seen without the various dishesand plates for greater clarity. It should be noted that an angle betweenthe first panel 603 and second panel 605 may preferably be about 60°(sixty degrees). a range of possible angles from about 40° (fortydegrees) to about 80° (eighty degrees) is possible.

Referring to FIG. 40, a side view of the assembled dish assembly 601similar to that seen in FIG. 37 is shown. However, the assembled dishassembly 601 is shown engaged with a guide and support platform 645which acts both to further reinforces a set angle of the first andsecond panels 603 and 605 with respect to each other, as well as theoverall stability and vertical support of the assembled dish assembly601 by providing an expanded base so that the dish assembly 601 can bebetter supported from all sides. Consequently, although the guide andsupport platform 645 will be shown as having a number of features whichinterfit with physical details of the dish assembly 601 shown, it isunderstood that any structure which can attach to the first and secondpanel 603 and 605 by surrounding structure, gluing, magnetic force,threaded fastener interconnection, and much more, that the idea is theprovision of greater stability and that any given guide and supportplatform 645 may have vastly different type and sizes of stability andattachment components.

Guide and support platform 645 is seen as having a planar shape with aset of feet 647. Guide and support platform 645 may ideally have avertical height that engages cutout or slot 637 to thus bear all of thesupport force of the first and second panels 603 and 605 and itemssupported by first and second panels 603 and 605. Much of the details ofthe size and shape of the guide and support platform 645 may also bedetermined by the height and number of vertical objects the dishassembly 601 is intended to support. Various supported objects are shownin broken line format, including large dishes LD, and large bowls LB.

Referring to FIG. 41 is a side view of the a guide and support platform645 seen in FIG. 40 illustrates the low profile of the a guide andsupport platform standing alone. At a rear portion of the guide andsupport platform 645, a rear notch 651 is seen, while at a front portionof the guide and support platform 645 a support leg portion 653 is seen,the extent of which are best understood after viewing later Figs.Referring to FIG. 42, a top view of the guide and support platform 645seen in FIGS. 40 & 41 illustrates bilateral symmetry of the structuralfeatures. In addition, a central aperture 655 is seen, as is a rearcurved portion 657. Central aperture 655 is optional, but will, ifpresent, assist in grasping for carriage or removal, and for storagewhere the guide and support platforms 645 may use the central aperturefor alignment and stacking around a projection. The guide and supportplatform 645 utilizes rear notches 651 to engage the short verticalextent of the rear foot projections 633 adjacent the cutout or slot 637to set the angular pivotal spread of the panels 603 and 605 with respectto each other. Likewise, the space between the support leg portions 653are used to help contain and center the front foot projections 635 toinsure even fit of the rear foot projections 633 into the cutouts orslots 637.

Referring to FIG. 43, a top view looking down onto the assembled dishassembly 601 of FIGS. 35-40 and particularly looking down along line43-43 of FIG. 40 illustrates the tilted corner, similar to a pyrimidalsection, formed by the adjacent series of the abbreviated verticalportions. The assembled dish assembly 601 is seen overlying the guideand support platform 645 illustrating its stabilizing support. The frontfoot projection 635 are seen as centered and resting between the supportleg portions 653 of the guide and support platform 645.

Referring to FIG. 44, an upper perspective view of the assembled dishassembly 601 of FIGS. 35-39 and shown in a folded position either readyto be packed away or in a position just about to be deployed on asupport surface. Referring to FIG. 45, an upper perspective view of theassembled dish assembly 601 most similar to that seen in FIG. 44 andshown in a deployed position ready to support bowls B, dishes D, andlarge bowls LB for example, as were seen in FIG. 37, and ready forsupport on a surface such as a table or support (not shown). Referringto FIG. 46, an upper perspective view of the assembled dish assembly 601most similar to that seen in FIG. 45, is shown in a deployed positionready to support bowls B, dishes D, and large bowls LB for example, aswere seen in FIG. 37, but that would now be supported or supportable ona surface with the assistance of a guide and support platform 645 seenin FIGS. 40-43.

Referring to FIG. 47, an upper perspective exploded view of theassembled dish assembly 601 most similar to the perspective of FIG. 45is shown. FIG. 47 illustrates the angular tilt of both the assembleddish assembly 601 the hinges 607 when the assembled dish assembly 601 issupported on a generally horizontal surface. The broken line projectionsthat lead onto the series of the abbreviated vertical portions 627illustrate an angled projection of the attachment plates 611 such thatthe vertical height of the abbreviated vertical portions 627 of theassembled dish assembly 601 are sufficient to accommodate the verticalheight of the attachment plates 611. Referring to FIG. 46, an upperperspective view of the guide and support platform 645 seen in FIGS.40-43 & 46 gives a better perception of the physical compactness andease of storability of the support platform 645.

In this manner a conveniently fabricated and easily assembled structure,which can range from a panel combination to a wire frame, can be easilyobtained to provide various levels of dish loading capacity both fortransport or as a stationary dish support. The inexpensive nature,simplicity and convenience of this dish handling arrangement cantherefore be useful in commercial setting, as an adjunct assisting thesale of dish ensembles or simply as a storage mechanism in a home.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the instant invention canbe effected without departing from the spirit of the teachings herein.It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be determinedsolely by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed:
 1. A collapsible dish assembly useful to support in asubstantially horizontal cantilevered manner, a plurality of dishes,comprising: a first panel, having a rear edge and a front edge series ofa first plurality of abbreviated vertical portions separating a firstplurality of holding unit structures; a second panel, having a rear edgeand a front edge series of a second plurality of abbreviated verticalportions separating a second plurality of holding unit structures, thefirst panel fixed in relationship to the second panel so that the firstplurality of holding unit structures correspond to the second pluralityof holding unit structures in a manner to support a plurality of dishes.2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the first andsecond plurality of holding unit structures includes a non-slip surfacefor engaging dishes.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein thefirst panel is fixed in relationship to the second panel with at leastone hinge to enable the first and second panels to pivot with respect toeach other.
 4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at leastone hinge is attached adjacent the first and second plurality ofabbreviated vertical portions of the first and second panel,respectively.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at leastone hinge is a plurality of hinges, each joining at least one of thefirst plurality of abbreviated vertical portions of the first panel to acorresponding one of the second plurality of abbreviated verticalportions of the second panel.
 6. An assembly according to claim 1,wherein the first and second panels form a pyramidal section whendeployed.
 7. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the firstand second plurality of holding unit structures includes an upper curvedportion surface substantially opposite a generally straighter portion.8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second panelseach include a front foot projection spaced apart from a rear footprojection.
 9. An assembly according to claim 8, and further comprisinga guide and support platform having a rear portion for fitting betweenthe rear foot projections of the first and second panels and a frontportion for at least partially surrounding the front foot projections ofthe first and second panels in order to assist in setting the angularseparation of the first panel with respect to the second panel.
 10. Adish assembly useful to support in a substantially horizontalcantilevered manner, a plurality of dishes, comprising: a first panel,having a rear edge and a front edge series of a first plurality ofabbreviated vertical portions separating a first plurality of holdingunit structures; a second panel, having a rear edge and a front edgeseries of a second plurality of abbreviated vertical portions separatinga second plurality of holding unit structures, first plurality ofholding unit structures corresponding to the second plurality of holdingunit structures, and wherein the first panel is located relative to thesecond panel such that the first plurality of holding unit structurescorresponds to the second plurality of holding unit structures, thefirst and second panels forming a pyramidal section when in a deployedposition to support in a cantilevered manner, a plurality of dishes.